In early 2024, a shared commitment to inclusive employment brought together Palladium, Tent UK, Adecco to launch a refugee hiring pilot at one of Adecco's clients’ manufacturing sites in the Southeast of England manufacturing.

As the delivery partner for the Home Office’s Refugee Employability Programme (REP) in the Southeast, Palladium played a vital role in preparing and supporting refugee candidates, ensuring they were not only job-ready but also equipped to thrive in the workplace.

Building Bridges to Work

For many refugees, finding meaningful work in the UK is far more complex than simply applying for a job. It often involves overcoming language barriers, unfamiliar recruitment systems, and systemic obstacles such as lack of formal references or UK work experience.

That’s where Palladium stepped in.

“We knew there were qualified, motivated individuals in our REP programme who just needed the right access and support,” said Charlotte, REP Partnership Manager. “This pilot was about more than recruitment, it was about equity and opportunity.”

Working closely with Adecco and its client, Palladium helped shape an inclusive recruitment process that responded to the realities of refugee jobseekers.

“Before this, I had no idea how to apply for jobs here,” said a REP participant, originally from Afghanistan. “Palladium explained everything step-by-step. They even helped me with English words I didn’t understand for the job test.”

Adapting the Process, Not the Standards

Adecco led the recruitment process, and the client committed to adapting onboarding practices to ensure accessibility without compromising job standards.

To prepare candidates, Palladium integrated factory-specific terminology into ESOL and job-readiness workshops, provided interpretation support on assessment day, and verified references for candidates who could not meet the standard one-year UK reference requirement.

Of the 26 refugee candidates prepared by Palladium, 19 advanced to training and successfully began employment through Adecco’s flex-pool recruitment model.

“Adecco is committed to adapting recruitment processes to ensure accessibility for refugee applicants. By collaborating with Palladium, we aligned candidate preparation with assessment criteria and hosted a tailored assessment centre for 26 refugee candidates. Our coordination of our flex-pool allows responsive workforce planning for the client, while actively supporting refugee retention.” Adecco spokesperson

Integration Beyond the Job Offer

Palladium’s support didn’t end once candidates were hired. Through regular check-ins and coordination with Adecco and its client, Palladium’s caseworkers provided continued assistance to help individuals settle into their roles and navigate workplace culture.

“When I got the job, it wasn’t just about money, it was about feeling part of something again,” said another REP participant and successful hire. “I want my children to see me working and know they can do the same.”

The Power of Partnership

Each partner played a vital role in bringing the initiative to life. Tent UK took the lead in convening the partnership, offering valuable guidance on inclusive hiring practices. Adecco's client demonstrated strong leadership by adapting its onboarding processes and creating a multilingual support environment to better serve diverse talent. Adecco contributed by ensuring the recruitment process was both fair and flexible, accommodating the unique needs of each candidate. Meanwhile, Palladium served as the crucial link that turned policy into practice supporting individuals from the very first conversation all the way to their first payslip.

Jen Stobart, director of Tent UK, said: “This partnership shows what happens when you really understand the barriers refugees face. It's not about lowering standards - it's about recognising that someone might be brilliant at the job but struggle with a system they've never encountered before. I'm really proud we could bring these companies together to make hiring work for everyone and unlock talent that was always there, benefiting both the refugees and the companies they are joining."

The pilot’s success led to a second round of recruitment, open to both refugee and non-refugee candidates, reinforcing the idea that inclusive employment benefits everyone.

A Blueprint for the Future

This initiative offers a compelling model for what’s possible when businesses, providers and communities collaborate with purpose. The pilot demonstrated how inclusive hiring can be effectively implemented through thoughtful preparation, cultural mediation, and flexible recruitment practices.

“This was a clear example of how inclusive hiring can be done well,” said Becky Brocklehurst, Operations Director at Palladium. “It’s not about lowering the bar – it’s about opening the door.”

As the Refugee Employability Programme comes to an end, this collaboration stands as a replicable example of best practice highlighting how joined-up working can unlock meaningful employment opportunities for refugees and create more inclusive workplaces across the UK.